GB2545212A - Thermally insulating panel for a vehicle - Google Patents

Thermally insulating panel for a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2545212A
GB2545212A GB1521659.1A GB201521659A GB2545212A GB 2545212 A GB2545212 A GB 2545212A GB 201521659 A GB201521659 A GB 201521659A GB 2545212 A GB2545212 A GB 2545212A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
component
thermally insulating
insulating panel
panel
thermally
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1521659.1A
Other versions
GB201521659D0 (en
GB2545212B (en
Inventor
Petley Dean
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Original Assignee
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jaguar Land Rover Ltd filed Critical Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority to GB1521659.1A priority Critical patent/GB2545212B/en
Publication of GB201521659D0 publication Critical patent/GB201521659D0/en
Priority to GB1620890.2A priority patent/GB2546389B/en
Priority to PCT/EP2016/080289 priority patent/WO2017097917A1/en
Priority to DE112016005636.2T priority patent/DE112016005636T5/en
Priority to US16/060,461 priority patent/US10829061B2/en
Priority to CN201680071865.4A priority patent/CN108368961B/en
Publication of GB2545212A publication Critical patent/GB2545212A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2545212B publication Critical patent/GB2545212B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K5/00—Arrangement or mounting of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
    • B60R13/0876—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation for mounting around heat sources, e.g. exhaust pipes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B77/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not otherwise provided for
    • F02B77/11—Thermal or acoustic insulation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B1/00—Layered products having a non-planar shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B37/00—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding
    • B32B37/0007—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding involving treatment or provisions in order to avoid deformation or air inclusion, e.g. to improve surface quality
    • B32B37/0023—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding involving treatment or provisions in order to avoid deformation or air inclusion, e.g. to improve surface quality around holes, apertures or channels present in at least one layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K17/00—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
    • B60R13/0869—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation for protecting heat sensitive parts, e.g. electronic components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D27/00—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B33/00—Features common to bolt and nut
    • F16B33/004—Sealing; Insulation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/62—Heating or cooling; Temperature control specially adapted for specific applications
    • H01M10/625—Vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2605/00—Vehicles
    • B32B2605/08—Cars
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2607/00—Walls, panels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
    • B60R2013/0807—Arrangements of fasteners or clips specially adapted therefore
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)

Abstract

An insulating panel 100 for use in a vehicle system 200 comprises an uncompressed area 104 and a pre-compressed area 106; an aperture 110 passes through the pre-compressed area 106 to receive a fixing 140 for fixing first and second components, eg engine mounts, power train parts, oil storage or circulation parts or parts maintaining the temperature of a temperature-sensitive component, eg a battery. The contact surfaces 141, 142 of the fixing 140 may be thermally insulated, eg by nylon coatings. A gasket 150 may be embedded in or attached to the insulating panel 100, around the aperture 110; the gasket 150 may be a non-deformable spacer and may be thermally insulating. The panel 100 may be formed, eg by pressurised steam moulding, from a single layer or multiple laminate layers (160, fig.6) eg polyurethane foam and felt. The panel may have reinforcing layer(s) (162, figs.7,8) eg made from a blended web of polyamide material in the form of powder or flakes and reinforcement fibres. The panel may be adapted also for acoustic insulation.

Description

THERMALLY INSULATING PANEL FOR A VEHICLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a thermally insulating panel for a vehicle. In particular, but not exclusively it relates to a thermally insulating panel in a powertrain system.
BACKGROUND
It can be desirable in a vehicle to restrict heat transfer to or from certain components, for example those that have a preferred operating temperature. Heat transfer may be controlled, for example, by using encapsulating a component using thermally insulating panels which cover at least portions of the component it is desired to keep warm or cool. These panels are designed to reduce heat transfer between the component and the ambient environment or other parts of the vehicle. Such panels may additionally provide acoustic attenuation to reduce the transmission of airborne noise from a component to the vehicle occupants or outside the vehicle.
However, in order to reduce manufacturing complexity of vehicles it is often necessary to attach one component to another, often within small engineering tolerances. The consequent direct abutment of the components often creates thermal bridges which may allow heat to transfer between the vehicle components.
It is an aim of the present invention to better restrict heat transfer between vehicle components considering the complex and precise geometry of some interconnecting vehicle components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide; a thermally insulating panel for use in a vehicle, a system comprising a thermally insulating panel and a vehicle comprising a thermally insulating panel as claimed in the appended claims.
It will generally be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the powertrain of a vehicle comprises an engine, induction system, exhaust system, cooling system, transmission and driveline with associated control systems and controllers. Additionally or alternatively the powertrain may comprise an electric traction motor, inverter, battery and/or auxiliary power unit with associated control systems and controllers.
An aspect of the invention creates a new type of thermally insulating panel which has been specifically designed so that it reduces the thermal bridging between a first component and a second component that are fixed together particularly where an engine for a vehicle comprises the components. This is achieved by extending the thermally insulating panel between the first component and the second component so that it is between the first component and the second component. The thermally insulating panel, partially or fully, thermally decouples the first component and the second component.
In this document, the description of joining a first component to a second component is synonymous with joining the second component to the first component. Neither implies a direction or sense in which a fixing is used.
The description of joining the second component to the first component does not require a direct abutting contact between the components. However, in at least some embodiments direct abutting contact would occur or potentially occur in the absence of the thermally insulating panel between the vehicle components. Similarly, the design of either the first, the second, or both components may be adapted to allow for the spacing provided by the thermally insulating panel.
The thermally insulating panel may be provided as an independent product, separately to a powertrain or a vehicle.
The thermally insulating panel is pre-compressed in the area between the first component and the second component so that it is thinner and/or more rigid in this area. This allows the use of a thermally insulating panel in situations which previously had not been possible because of the need to attach components to one another in a rigid manner.
According to some but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention there is provided a thermally insulating panel comprising: panel material configured to provide thermal insulation between a first component and a second component, wherein the panel material comprises at least one uncompressed area and at least one pre-compressed area, wherein the precompressed area is sized and positioned to be located between the first component and the second component, and wherein the thermally insulating panel comprises at least part of an aperture through the panel material in the pre-compressed area for receiving a fixing for attaching the first component and second component.
The thermally insulating panel in the pre-compressed area may have a consistent thickness and be substantially incompressible in use having been pre-compressed. This allows the use of a thermally insulating panel in situations which previously had not been possible because of the need to attach components to one another consistently often within small engineering tolerances.
In some but not necessarily all embodiments, a gasket is embedded within or attached to the thermally insulating panel within the pre-compressed area in alignment with the aperture. A fixing attaching the second component and the first component can pass through the gasket and the aperture.
The thermally insulating panel may therefore comprise a thermally insulating gasket within the pre-compressed area or adjacent a surface of pre-compressed area of the thermally insulating panel and partially or fully circumscribing the aperture.
In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the gasket is used as a spacer to achieve a controlled spacing between the first component and the second vehicle component,
In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the gasket may be a rigid gasket that does not deform or does not deform more than 2% under compression when in use.
In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the gasket may be a thermally insulating gasket.
In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the gasket may be formed from rubber or nylon.
The thermally insulating panel may be provided as part of a vehicle. For example, according to some but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention there is provided a system comprising: a first component; a second component; a fixing joining the first component to the second component; and the thermally insulating panel comprising an aperture through which the fixing passes wherein one or both of the components is a part of an engine and the engine is configured for use in a vehicle.
In this example, the thermally insulating panel may extend between the first component and the second component such that it forms a thermal insulating layer between the first component and the second vehicle component. The uncompressed area of the thermally insulating panel may extend over at least a portion of the first component to at least partially thermally insulate the first vehicle component. The pre-compressed area of the thermally insulating panel may extend between the first component and the second component such that it forms a thermal insulating layer between the first component and the second vehicle component.
The fixing joining the first component to the second component and extending through the aperture, may be thermally insulated to prevent a thermal bridge forming, when in use, through the fixing between the first component and the second vehicle component.
For example, the fixing may have a first contact surface for contacting, in use, the first vehicle component. The first contact surface may be a thermally insulated surface.
For example, the fixing may have a second contact surface for contacting, in use, the second vehicle component. The second contact surface may be a thermally insulated surface.
In one example, the fixing comprises a bolt comprising a head and a shaft with a screw thread and a nut comprising a threaded aperture for receiving the thread of the bolt shaft.
The first component and the second component are compressed between an abutment surface of the head of the bolt and an opposing abutment surface of the nut. In some examples, the abutment surface of the head of the bolt is thermally insulated. In some examples, the abutment surface of the nut is thermally insulated. In some examples, the shaft of the bolt is thermally insulated. Thermal insulation may, for example, be achieved by using a nylon or other coating. Similarly, the thermal insulation for the fixing may be provided as a coating on either the first or second components or be provided as a bush or washer between the fixing and either the first or second component.
The term thermally insulated when applied to something indicates that it does not easily transfer thermal energy via conduction, convention or radiation. In particular, thermally insulated in the context of this document, when applied to something indicates that it does not easily transfer thermal energy via conduction preventing or inhibiting a thermal bridge between the first and second vehicle components
The term thermally insulated in some but not necessarily all examples implies thermal transfer of less than 0.045 W/mK at 20°C.
The thermally insulating panel may be formed from a single layer or from multiple layers. The multiple layers may be multiple laminate layers arranged in parallel.
Examples of a suitable layer or layers include: polyurethane foam, felt. The felt may be formed from glass fibres, natural fibres. Pressurized steam molding may be used to manufacture the thermally insulating panel.
The thermally insulating panel may be a three dimensional rigid panel that conforms at least partially to a shape of the first component and/or the second vehicle component.
The thermally insulating panel may comprise an external rigid reinforcement layer on one or both sides of the vehicle thermal insulated panel. The thermally insulating panel may comprise a cellular layer and/or heat reflecting layer on an interior side of one or both of the external rigid reinforcement layers. A reinforcement layer may be made from blended web of polyamide material in the form of powder or flakes and reinforcement fibres.
The thermally insulating panel may be adapted for acoustic insulation as well as thermal insulation, for example this may comprise a soft, acoustically absorbent, layer.
Although the invention has particular application to engines, where one or both of the first component and the second component may be engine mounts, it also has application to other parts of a vehicle such as the vehicle power train, those parts of the vehicle where high temperature oil is stored, and/or for maintaining the working temperature of a battery or other temperature sensitive component.
One or both of above-mentioned components, whether a first component or second component, may be, for example, an engine component, a vehicle power train component, an oil storage or oil circulation component, a temperature sensitive component, or an electrical energy storage component.
For example, in some but not necessarily all examples, the invention provides an engine system comprising: a first component; a second component; a fixing joining the first component to the second component; a thermally insulating panel extending in an uncompressed form over at least a portion of the first component to at least partially thermally insulate the first component and extending in a pre-compressed form between the first component and the second component such that it forms a thermally insulating layer between the first component and the second component, wherein the thermally insulating panel defines an aperture through which the fixing extends; and a thermal insulating gasket within or adjacent the thermally insulating panel and at least partially circumscribes the fixing.
The gasket may be an integral part of the thermally insulating panel, for example being attached to a surface of the thermally insulating panel or being embedded within the thermally insulated panel. Alternatively, the gasket may be separate from the thermally insulating panel.
More generally, in some but not necessarily all examples, the invention provides a vehicle system comprising: a first component that is a heat source; a second component that is fixed to a first component and is a heat sink; a fixing means interconnecting the first component and the second vehicle component; a thermally insulating means extending between the first component and the second component such that it forms a thermal insulation between the first component and the second vehicle component, wherein the thermally insulating means defines an aperture through which the fixing extends. The thermally insulating means may extend in an uncompressed form over at least a portion of the first component to at least partially thermally insulate the first component and may extend in a compressed form between the first component and the second component such that it forms a thermally insulating layer between the first component and the second component. A thermally insulating gasket means may be used within or adjacent the thermally insulating means and partially or fully circumscribe the fixing means. The vehicle thermal insulating gasket means may be within or adjacent a surface of the compressed portion of the vehicle thermal insulating means through which the fixing means extends. The compressed portion may be a pre-compressed portion that is compressed before attachment to the system.
Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figs 1 A, 2A, 3A illustrate different examples of thermally insulating panels;
Figs 1B, 2B, 3B illustrate different examples of vehicle systems comprising thermally insulating panels between components;
Figs 4A and 4B illustrate different examples of thermally insulating panels;
Fig 5 illustrates an example of a vehicle comprising one or more thermally insulating panels; and
Figs 6, 7 and 8 illustrate different examples of thermally insulating panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It can be desirable in a vehicle to restrict heat transfer to or from certain components, for example those that have a preferred operating temperature. Heat transfer may be controlled, for example, by using a thermally insulating panel which covers at least a portion of the component it is desired to keep warm or cool.
Because of the complex and precise geometry of vehicles it is often necessary to attach one component to another component often within small engineering tolerances. The consequent direct abutment of the components or indirect coupling via fixings may create a thermal bridge which, for example, allows heat to transfer between the vehicle components.
This description describes and the accompanying figures show a new type of thermally insulating panel 100 which has been specifically designed so that it reduces the thermal bridging between a first component 120 (heat source), and a second component 130 (heat sink), that are fixed together. This is achieved by extending the thermally insulating panel 100 between the first component 120 and the second component 130 so that it is sandwiched between the first component 120 and the second component 130. The thermally insulating panel 100, partially or fully, thermally decouples the first component 120 and the second component 130.
The thermally insulating panel 100 may be provided as an independent product, separately to a vehicle. Figs 1A, 2A, 3A illustrate examples of different vehicle thermally insulating panels 100. They are similar except that thermally insulating panels 100 illustrated in Figs 2A and 2B have at least one integrated gasket 150, whereas the thermally insulating panel 100 illustrated in Fig 1A does not have an integrated gasket 150.
The thermally insulating panel 100 may be provided as part of a vehicle system 200 or may be added after the sale of the vehicle to a vehicle system 200. Figs 1B, 2B, 3B illustrate examples of the same vehicle system 200 using the respective different thermal insulating vehicle panels 100 of Figs 1A, 2A, 3A.
Referring to Fig 1 A, the thermally insulating panel 100 is pre-compressed in the area that will be between the first component 120 and the second component 130 so that it is thinner in this area. This allows the use of a vehicle thermally insulating panel 100 in situations which previously had not been possible because of the need to attach components to one another often within very small engineering tolerances.
This example of a thermally insulating panel 100 comprises panel material 102. The panel material 102 is configured to provide thermal insulation between a first component 120 and a second component 130, as illustrated in Fig 1B.
The panel material 102 comprises at least one uncompressed area 104 and at least one precompressed area 106.
The pre-compressed area 106 is sized and positioned to be located between the first component 120 and the second component 130 in use, as shown in Fig 1B.
The thermally insulating panel 100 defines an aperture 110, the aperture passing all the way through the panel material 102 in the pre-compressed area 106. This aperture 110 extends completely through the panel material 102 and is sized and positioned to receive a fixing 140 that is configured to fix the first component 120 to the second component 130.
The thermally insulating panel 100 in the pre-compressed area 106 may have a consistent thickness To less than a thickness Tu of the uncompressed area 104. For example, To may be less than half of Tu.
The pre-compression of the panel material 102, during manufacture of the thermally insulating panel 100, may for example have the beneficial effect that the pre-compressed area 106 is incompressible or substantially incompressible in use because it has been precompressed. This may enable use of a thermally insulating panel 100 in situations which previously had not been possible because of the need to attach components 120,130 to one another consistently perhaps within small engineering tolerances.
Referring to Fig 1B, the thermally insulating panel 100 illustrated in Fig 1A is used in a vehicle system 200. The vehicle system 200 comprises: a first component 120; a second component 130; and a fixing 140 extending through the aperture 110 of the thermally insulating panel 100 and joining the first component 120 and the second component 130 together.
In this example, the thermally insulating panel 100 extends between the first component 120 and the second component 130 such that it forms a thermal insulating layer between the first component 120 and the second component 130. The uncompressed area 104 of the thermally insulating panel 100 extends over at least a portion 122 of the first component 120 to at least partially thermally insulate the first component 120. The pre-compressed area 106 of the thermally insulating panel 100 extends between the first component 120 and the second component 130 such that it forms a thermal insulating layer between the first component 120 and the second component 130.
The pre-compressed area 106 of the thermally insulating panel 100 is located between the first component 120 and the second component 130.
In this example but not necessarily all examples, the first component 120 comprises an aperture 201 that extends through the first component 120 and is aligned sufficiently with the aperture 110 of the thermally insulating panel 100 to allow the fixing 140 to extend through both the aperture 121 and the aperture 110.
In this example but not necessarily all examples, the second component 130 comprises an aperture 301 that extends through the second component 130 and is aligned sufficiently with the aperture 110 of the thermally insulating panel 100 to allow the fixing 140 to extend through both the aperture 131 and the aperture 110.
In this example but not necessarily all examples, the thermally insulating panel 100 is the only thing between the first component 120 and the second component 130. If it were removed the first component 120 and the second component 130 would abut.
The fixing 140 joining the first component 120 to the second component 130 and extending through the aperture 110, may be thermally insulated to prevent a thermal bridge forming, when in use, through the fixing 140 between the first component 120 and the second component 130.
The fixing 140 may have a first contact surface 141 for contacting, in use, the first component 120. The first contact surface 141 may be a thermally insulated surface. The fixing 140 may additionally or alternatively have a second contact surface 142 for contacting, in use, the second component 130. The second contact surface 142 may be a thermally insulated surface.
In one example but not necessarily all examples, the fixing 140 comprises a bolt 144 comprising a head 145 and a shaft 146 with an external screw thread and a nut 148 comprising a threaded aperture 149 for receiving the thread of the bolt shaft 146. The first component 120 and the second component 130 are compressed between an abutment surface 142 of the head 145 of the bolt 144 and an opposing abutment surface 141 of the nut 148.
In some examples, the abutment surface 142 of the head 145 of the bolt 144 is thermally insulated. In some examples, the abutment surface 141 of the nut 148 is thermally insulated. In some examples, the shaft 146 of the bolt 144 is thermally insulated. Thermal insulation may, for example, be achieved by using a nylon or other coatings.
In Figs 2A and 2B, a gasket 150 is an integral part of the thermally insulating panel 100. In this example, the gasket 150 is embedded within (between) layers forming the thermally insulating panel 100.
In Figs 3A and 3B, a gasket 150 is an integral part of the thermally insulating panel 100. In this example, the gasket 150 is attached, for example using adhesive, to a surface 105 of the thermally insulating panel 100.
In an alternative example, the thermally insulating panel 100 illustrated in Fig 1A may be used in the vehicle system 200 illustrated in Fig 3B, using a gasket 150 that is separate from the thermally insulating panel 100 and from the first component 120 and the second component 130.
The gasket 150 comprises a perimeter portion 152 that circumscribes (surrounds) an aperture 151. The aperture 151 may but need not be circular and circumscribe should be interpreted accordingly. The perimeter portion 152 of the gasket 150 has a depth that fills a space between the first component and the second component 130 and/or acts as a spacer to achieve a controlled spacing between the first component 120 and the second vehicle component.
The gasket 150 is located within the pre-compressed area 106 and its aperture 151 is in alignment with the aperture 110 such that the fixing 140 attaching the second component 130 to the first component 120 passes through the aperture 151 of the gasket 150 and the aperture 110.
In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the gasket 150 may be a rigid gasket that does not deform or does not deforming more than 2-10% under compression when in use.
In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the gasket 150 may be a thermally insulating gasket. For example, the perimeter portion 152 may be formed from rubber or nylon.
Figs 4A and 4B illustrated different examples of vehicle thermally insulating panels 100. In Fig 4A the aperture 110 of the vehicle thermally insulating panels 100 is wholly within the pre-compressed area 106 of the vehicle thermally insulating panels 100. In Fig 4B the aperture 110 is formed by a first edge of a first thermally insulating panel 100 and an opposing second first edge of a second thermally insulating panel 100. The first and second edges abut except at the aperture 110 where they separate to form the aperture 110. The first thermally insulating panel 100 forms only a part of the aperture 110 and the second thermally insulating panel 100 forms the other part of the aperture 110. Gaskets or parts of gaskets 150 may be attached to or embedded within the first thermally insulating panel 100 and/or the second thermally insulating panel 100
Fig 5 illustrates an example of a vehicle comprising a vehicle system 200, for example, as described in Figs 1B, 2B or 3B.
Although the invention has particular application to engines, where, for example, one or both of the first component 120 and the second component 130 may be engine mounts, it also has application to other parts of a vehicle 300 such as the vehicle power train, those parts of the vehicle where high temperature oil is stored or used, and/or for maintaining the working temperature of a battery or another temperature sensitive component.
Consequently one or both of above-mentioned vehicle components, whether a first component 120 or second component 130, may be, for example, a engine component, a vehicle power train component, an oil storage or oil circulation component, a temperature sensitive component, or an electrical energy storage component.
Figs 6, 7 and 8 illustrate different examples of how the thermally insulating panel 100 illustrated in Fig 2A may be made. The method may be modified to make the thermally insulating panel 100 illustrated in Fig 1A by leaving out the gaskets 150. The method may be modified to make the thermally insulating panel 100 illustrated in Fig 3A by integrating the gaskets 150 externally instead of internally. In other examples, some gaskets 150 may be internally integrated and others externally integrated.
The Figs illustrate different methods of making a rigid, three-dimensional thermally insulating panel 100 that conforms at least partially to a shape of the first component 120 and/or the second component 130.
The thermally insulating panel 100 may be formed from a single layer or from multiple layers 160. The multiple layers 160 may be multiple laminate layers.
Examples of a suitable layer or layers 160 include: polyurethane foam, felt. The felt may be formed from glass fibres, natural fibres. Pressurized steam molding may be used to manufacture the thermally insulating panel 100.
The thermally insulating panel 100 may comprise an external rigid reinforcement layer 162 on one side of the thermally insulating panel 100 (Fig 7) or on both sides of the thermally insulating panel 100 (Fig 8). The thermally insulating panel 100 may comprise a cellular layer 160 and/or heat reflecting layer 160 on an interior side of one or both of the external rigid reinforcement panels 162. A reinforcement layer 162 may be made from blended web of polyamide material in the form of powder or flakes and reinforcement fibres.
The thermally insulating panel 100 may be adapted for acoustic insulation as well as thermal insulation, for example, it may comprise a rigid layer such as a reinforcement layer 162 or a layer of material configured to absorb or reflect noise.
The term thermally insulating or thermally insulated when applied to something indicates that it does not easily transfer thermal energy via conduction, convention or radiation. In particular, thermally insulating or thermally insulated in the context of this document, when applied to something indicates that it does not easily transfer thermal energy via conduction or radiation, preventing or inhibiting a thermal bridge between the first and second vehicle components 120, 130 and providing insulation to reduce radiation from either the first or second component.
The term thermally insulating or thermally insulated in some but not necessarily all examples implies thermal transfer of less than 0.045 W/mK at 20°C.
The term ‘heat sink’ when used to describe a component is intended to refer to a component that operates as a heat sink in use and/or has the potential to operate as a heat sink in use. The term ‘heat source’ when used to describe a component is intended to refer to a component that operates as a heat source in use or has the potential to operate as a heat source in use. The first component 120 and the second component 130 may be, respectively a heat source and a heat sink. Alternatively, the first component 120 and the second component 130 may be, respectively a heat sink and a heat source.
In this document, the description of joining a first component 120 to a second component 130 is synonymous with joining the second engine component 130 to the first engine component 120. Neither implies a direction or sense in which a fixing 140 is used.
The description of joining the second component 130 to the first component 120 (or joining the first component 120 to the second vehicle component) does not require a direct abutting contact between the vehicle components 120, 130. However, in at least some embodiments direct abutting contact would occur or potentially occur in the absence of the thermally insulating panel 100 between the vehicle components 120, 130.
As used here ‘module’ refers to a unit or apparatus that excludes certain parts/components that would be added by an end manufacturer or a user. The thermally insulating panel 100 may be a module.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.
Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.
Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.
Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.
Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (19)

1. A powertrain system for a vehicle comprising: a first powertrain component; a second powertrain component; a fixing joining the first powertrain component to the second powertrain component; a thermally insulating panel comprising at least one uncompressed area extending over at least a portion of the first powertrain component to at least partially thermally insulate the first powertrain component and comprising at least one pre-compressed area extending between the first powertrain component and the second powertrain component such that it forms a thermal insulating layer between the first powertrain component and the second powertrain component, wherein the pre-compressed area of the thermally insulating panel defines an aperture through which the fixing extends.
2. A thermally insulating panel comprising: panel material configured to provide thermal insulation between a first component and a second component configured for use in the powertrain of a vehicle, wherein the panel material comprises at least one uncompressed area and at least one pre-compressed area, wherein the pre-compressed area is sized and positioned to be located between the first component and the second component, and wherein the thermally insulating panel defines at least part of an aperture through the panel material in the pre-compressed area for receiving a fixing for joining the first component to the second component.
3. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in claim 2, comprising a gasket integrated within or attached to a surface of the thermally insulating panel within the pre-compressed area in alignment with the aperture.
4. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the gasket is a non-deformable spacer for providing a controlled spacing between the first component and the second component.
5. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the gasket is a thermally insulating gasket.
6. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the thermally insulating panel is formed from multiple layers.
7. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the thermally insulating panel is a three dimensional rigid panel that conforms at least partially to a shape of first component and/or the second component.
8. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, comprising polyurethane foam and felt.
9. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, comprising a rigid reinforcement layer at least partially covering one or both of the external sides of the thermally insulating panel.
10. A thermally insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9, adapted for acoustic insulation.
11. A system comprising: the thermally insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10, a first component; a second component; a fixing joining the first component to the second component and extending through the aperture of the vehicle thermal insulating component, and the gasket if present, wherein in the first component is a heat source or a potential heat source and the second component is a heat sink or a potential heat sink.
12. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the thermally insulating panel extends between the first component and the second component such that it forms a thermal insulating layer between the first component and the second component, the uncompressed area of the thermally insulating panel extending over at least a portion of the first component to at least partially thermally insulate the first component, and the pre-compressed area of the thermally insulating panel extending between the first component and the second component such that it forms a thermal insulating layer between the first component and the second component.
13. A system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the fixing joining the first component to the second component extends through the aperture and is thermally insulated to prevent a thermal bridge forming through the fixing between the first component and the second component.
14. A system as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the fixing comprises a thermally insulated first contact surface for contacting, in use, the first component and or a thermally insulated second contact surface for contacting, in use, the second component.
15. A system as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, wherein thermal transfer between the first component and the second component is less than 0.045 W/mK at 20°C.
16. A system as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, the first component and/or the second component are components of an engine, a vehicle power train, a store for high temperature oil, an electrical energy storage device or a temperature-sensitive component.
17. A vehicle comprising a thermally insulating panel as claimed in claim 2-10 and/or a system as claimed in claim 1 or 11 -16.
18. A thermally insulating panel substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
19. A system substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB1521659.1A 2015-12-09 2015-12-09 Powertrain system having thermally insulating panel for a vehicle Active GB2545212B (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1521659.1A GB2545212B (en) 2015-12-09 2015-12-09 Powertrain system having thermally insulating panel for a vehicle
US16/060,461 US10829061B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2016-12-08 Thermally insulating panel for a vehicle
PCT/EP2016/080289 WO2017097917A1 (en) 2015-12-09 2016-12-08 Thermally insulating panel for a vehicle
DE112016005636.2T DE112016005636T5 (en) 2015-12-09 2016-12-08 HEAT-INSULATING PLATE FOR A VEHICLE
GB1620890.2A GB2546389B (en) 2015-12-09 2016-12-08 Thermally insulating panel for a vehicle
CN201680071865.4A CN108368961B (en) 2015-12-09 2016-12-08 Heat insulation plate for vehicle

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GB1521659.1A GB2545212B (en) 2015-12-09 2015-12-09 Powertrain system having thermally insulating panel for a vehicle

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GB201521659D0 (en) 2016-01-20
CN108368961B (en) 2021-06-04
WO2017097917A1 (en) 2017-06-15
GB201620890D0 (en) 2017-01-25
CN108368961A (en) 2018-08-03
GB2546389B (en) 2018-05-09
DE112016005636T5 (en) 2018-08-30
GB2546389A (en) 2017-07-19
US20180361952A1 (en) 2018-12-20
US10829061B2 (en) 2020-11-10
GB2545212B (en) 2018-08-15

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